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Bullen took from his lifelong experiences in the game in establishing Planet90 Soccer (Photo by Rich Graessle)

Planet90 Aims to Teach Both Soccer and Lifestyle Tactics

Bloomfield, N.J. (Thursday, June 4, 2009) – With their focus set on showing young people how to achieve their goals both on the soccer field and in their everyday life, today marks the official launch of Planet90 Soccer. Founded by professional soccer player Oral Bullen, the company takes a unique and self-fulfilling approach to creating well-rounded soccer players and overall individuals.

“Not only do I want to teach kids the great game of soccer, but I always hope to teach the kids about life,” Bullen commented about his company mission. “I will train my staff to not only show a kid how to pass the ball but also to show them that sharing the ball with others can lead the entire team to great success. Whether it’s sharing the soccer ball with teammates or sharing great study habits with classmates, this is the ultimate goal of Planet90 Soccer.”

Growing up in Brooklyn, Bullen may not have had all of the advantages of some kids, but he did not let any of those things hinder him from reaching success on the field and in the classroom. During his time at MLK High School in Manhattan, he was a winner of three championships in four seasons and also captained the team during both his junior and senior years. He was twice named to the All-New York City First Team and received the honor of being selected the New York City Player of the Year in 2001. Bullen still reflects back to his youth days of playing soccer, when he and his uncle conducted their own training sessions.

“When I was growing up playing the game, I did not attend a number of soccer camps,” he recollected. “From the age of 5 to 14, the only camp I attended was my Uncle Lorne Bullen Soccer Camp, which was located in the backyard playing on rocks or at the side of the Laundromat while the clothes were washing. Soccer has always played a big part of my life, and I look to introduce kids to the game from a different angle. I want to help kids fall in love with the game that I fell in love with.”

Bullen has built a strong character from the experiences he has gone through in his life, and his family instilled in him a solid work ethic that helped him land a scholarship to play at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. While playing for UMass, he again showed his substantial leadership qualities and served as captain of the Minutemen during both his junior and senior seasons. He finished his collegiate career with 54 points in 75 games, and his 21 goals and 12 assists placed him just outside the UMass all-time top 10 points list. The two-time All-Atlantic 10 Conference selection helped lead the Minutemen to two A-10 tournament berths, and he was also honored as an NSCAA/adidas All-New England Second Team selection following his junior year.

“The game has played a big part in my life, from helping me attend one of the top schools in the country to helping me visit over 35 states in the U.S. and play in up to six different countries,” Bullen continued. “Had I not played this game, I could honestly say I would have not traveled to so many different places. It has exposed me to many different lifestyles and has broadened my life experience beyond the busy city of New York where I grew up.”

After receiving his degree from UMass, Bullen first played in the professional ranks as a member of the Portland Timbers in 2006. He registered a pair of goals and an assist for the USL-1 side, once earning Team of the Week accolades. He took his game indoors for the first time in 2006 for the Milwaukee Wave, tallying seven points (two goals, three assists) and five blocks in 18 matches. He followed up that performance with another accomplished year in Milwaukee, recording eight points (goal, six assists) and 21 blocks, showing his durability by missing only a single contest. This past year, he returned to the metropolitan area after signing with the New Jersey Ironmen. He displayed the true grit of an ironman, playing in every match of the 2008-09 Xtreme Soccer League season and notching eight points on a three pointer, pair of two-pointers and an assist.

His hard work to become a professional soccer player and his exposure to many lifestyles throughout the world have made Bullen a very well-balanced person, and he looks to help build the confidence and character of the kids that come through Planet90 Soccer in a similar fashion.

“I would like to help kids experience the lifestyle soccer has let me experience,” he remarked. “I am familiar with many people, both young and old, that have never left the State of New York. Whether playing the game of soccer or working in another avenue, I would like to let people know that there is a lot of the world to see and everyone should explore this. Kids who attend Planet90 Soccer Camps will learn what it is to have an ultimate goal in mind, whether that goal is to become a professional soccer player like myself or become a lawyer like our Planet90 Vice President, Stacyann Freckleton. There are no restraints to your personal goals when you come through Planet90 Soccer. We look to become teachers as well as soccer coaches.”

With the launching of Planet90 Soccer, Bullen has now seen a lifelong ambition accomplished, but he knows that his work has only begun. He has many personal goals for the company, and he looks to make Planet90 Soccer a major player within the industry.

“What sets Planet90 Soccer apart from other companies is our persistence to teach beyond the game of soccer,” he said. “We will not only teach kids how to score goals, but we will also teach them that the same drive you use to score a goal, you can use in your everyday life. That same drive and determination can be used in the classroom as well as the soccer field.”

With many new developments on the horizon for Planet90 Soccer, the company has already launched their own website at www.Planet90Soccer.com and will keep the site updated with all of the latest developments regarding the company. For any additional information regarding Planet90 Soccer, President Oral Bullen can be reached at obullen@planet90soccer.com.